Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy of Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy of Education is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University through their respective departments of educational foundations. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on the philosophical foundations of education, educational ethics, and the aims of education, contributing to educational thought and policy in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced philosophy of education, educational ethics, history of educational thought, research methodology, and the critical analysis of educational concepts. The programme is by thesis only at UoN, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent philosophical research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to philosophy of education.

Kenya's education system faces fundamental questions about access, quality, equity, and the purpose of schooling in the 21st century. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can provide philosophical analysis of education policy, curriculum reform, and the role of education in national development.

Teaching methods include seminars, philosophical analysis of educational texts, policy critique, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's Faculty of Education and KU's School of Education resources, and collaborate with KICD, KNEC, and the Ministry of Education.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, education philosophers, policy analysts, curriculum theorists, and educational consultants in universities, KICD, KNEC, teachers' colleges, and research institutions.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in philosophy of education, educational foundations, or related education fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in the philosophy of education.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 320,000
Private, up to: Ksh 310,200
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 8 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Philosophy of Education
Educational Ethics
History of Educational Thought
Research Methodology
Philosophical Analysis
Comparative Education
Thesis Research
Curriculum Theory
Aims of Education
Social Philosophy of Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Philosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced philosophical analysis of educational concepts, aims, and values including epistemology, ethics, and metaphysics of education
History of Educational Thought
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Historical study of major educational philosophers and their influence on contemporary education in Africa and globally
Educational Theory and Epistemology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Educational theory, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Educational Ethics and Social Justice
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Ethical analysis of education including equity, access, justice, rights, and moral education
African Philosophy of Education
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
African philosophy, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Philosophical Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods for philosophical inquiry including conceptual analysis, argumentation, and critical hermeneutics
Ethics and Moral Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Ethics in education, examining ethical principles, professional conduct, regulatory frameworks, and their application in research and practice.
Curriculum Theory and Philosophy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Philosophical foundations of curriculum including knowledge selection, values, and the aims of curriculum reform
Educational Policy Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Policy analysis, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.
Comparative and International Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Comparative analysis of education systems and philosophies with applications to Kenya and Africa
Research Methods in Philosophy of Education
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Research Methodology and Statistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for education research including philosophical and empirical approaches

Specialisations

Academic Research in Education
Specialization in Academic Research in Education, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Science Curriculum Development
Specialization in Science Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as science-curriculum-developer.
Education Policy Analysis
Specialization in Education Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as education-policy-analyst.
TVET Curriculum Design
Specialization in TVET Curriculum Design, preparing graduates for careers such as tvet-digital-skills-curriculum-designer.
Curriculum Coordination
Specialization in Curriculum Coordination, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-coordinator.
Curriculum Development
Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.
Educational Ethics
Research on ethics in education
Curriculum Theory
Research on curriculum theory
African Philosophy of Education
Research on African educational philosophy
Educational Policy Philosophy
Research on educational policy

A day as a student

A typical day combines philosophical reading and analysis with writing, seminar discussions, literature review, and thesis work. Students attend education research seminars, present philosophical arguments at colloquia, and engage with KICD and KNEC for policy analysis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's education reforms create demand
Access to KICD, Ministry of Education and UNESCO
Strong institutional links with KICD, KNEC, and the Ministry of Education
Diverse career paths in academia, policy, curriculum, and consulting

Against it

Limited direct industry demand outside academia
Requires strong analytical and writing skills
Education policy research can be influenced by political changes
Career progression in academia requires publications and research output

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public245k to 320k

245k at Kenyatta University320k at University of Nairobi

Private170k to 310k

170k at Kenya Methodist University310k at Kabarak University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

UoN 320K/yr; KU 244,800/yr (mawese.com). KeMU 170K; Kabarak 310K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and UNESCO research fellowships for philosophy of education research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
UNESCO Research Fellowship
Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
NRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MEd or MA in Philosophy of Education, Educational Foundations, or related education field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Education or related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

5 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, essays and seminar presentations
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Philosophical Essays and Seminars
Coursework20% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Educational Philosopher
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Philosophical analysis in education
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in education faculties
Education Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Advises institutions on educational philosophy, values, and curriculum
Curriculum Developer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Develops curriculum and pedagogical materials at KICD or education NGOs
University Lecturer (Education)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches philosophy of education and conducts research in university education departments
Education Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Analyses education policy at KICD, KNEC, the Ministry of Education, or think tanks

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, education philosophers, policy analysts, and curriculum theorists in universities, KICD, KNEC, teachers' colleges, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Philosophy of education is just abstract theory
Philosophy of education provides rigorous analysis of educational aims, values, ethics, and policies, which directly inform curriculum design and education reform.
A PhD in philosophy of education has limited career prospects
Graduates are needed at universities, KICD, KNEC, and the Ministry of Education to analyse curriculum, policy, and the fundamental purposes of education.
Philosophy of education is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's education reforms including CBC raise fundamental questions about aims, values, and equity that philosophy of education addresses directly.
Philosophy of education is the same as general philosophy
Philosophy of education applies philosophical methods specifically to educational concepts, policies, and practices, requiring specialist knowledge of education.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in curriculum and instruction